Article
Environmental Sciences
Jihui Tian, Xizhi Kuang, Mengtian Tang, Xiaodong Chen, Fei Huang, Yixia Cai, Kunzheng Cai
Summary: The application of biochar under low phosphorus input conditions enhances phosphodiesterase and alkaline phosphomonoesterase activities, while reducing organic phosphorus content. The increase in alkaline phosphomonoesterase activity is not due to an increase in phoD gene abundance, but rather a shift in community composition driven by the soil C:P ratio.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Soil Science
Yuze Li, Yingchun Hu, Duanpu Song, Shihan Liang, Xiaoliang Qin, Kadambot H. M. Siddique
Summary: Incorporating crop straw into topsoil significantly improves soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and nitrate-nitrogen concentrations, while having a greater impact on bacterial communities compared to plastic film mulch.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Zehao Zhang, Jingkuan Sun, Tian Li, Pengshuai Shao, Jinzhao Ma, Kaikai Dong
Summary: Human activities have altered the N and P supply ratio in natural ecosystems, impacting plant growth and soil nutrient cycling. However, the effects of N and P supply ratio on soil microbial communities and the role of plants in this process remain unclear.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bo Pang, Xingxing Ma, Jiangtao Hong, Xin Xu, Xiaoke Zhang, Xiaodan Wang
Summary: Explored the effects of gravel mulch on the acquisition pattern of nitrogen by microorganisms and plants in alpine ecosystems. The results showed that gravel mulch significantly improved the nitrogen recovery rate for Stipa purpurea, while having no significant impacts on A. nanschanica. In addition, the nitrogen absorption preference of plants shifted under the influence of gravel mulch.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xiujie Liu, Bin Hu, Chengcai Chu
Summary: Nitrogen is essential for crop yields, but excessive application can lead to increased production costs and environmental problems. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and breeding crops with higher NUE is crucial. NUE is determined by nitrogen uptake, transport, assimilation, and remobilization, involving key enzymes like NR, NiR, GS, and GOGAT.
JOURNAL OF GENETICS AND GENOMICS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuanqi Shan, Yi Fu, Lei Wang, Yunlong Yao
Summary: Wetlands experience fluctuations in water levels and nitrogen inputs, which impact microbial diversity. By studying soil columns from a wetland in Northeast China, we found that different bacterial genera had varying abundances across treatments. The relative abundances of bacterial genera were significantly correlated with soil depth, but not with water levels or nitrogen concentrations. Addition of nitrate solution caused changes in bacterial abundances with changing water levels. This study provides valuable insights into the response of nitrogen-cycling bacteria to different environmental conditions.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Tengteng Gao, Xiaomin Liu, Shuo Xu, Xi Yu, Danni Zhang, Kexin Tan, Yi Zhou, Xumei Jia, Zhijun Zhang, Fengwang Ma, Chao Li
Summary: This study reveals the association between MdASMT9-mediated melatonin biosynthesis and nitrogen absorption in apple plants under N-deficiency conditions. Exogenous and endogenous melatonin treatment can improve the tolerance of apple plants to nitrogen deficiency by enhancing light harvesting and heat transfer capability and modulating amino acid metabolism. MdHY5 is involved in the melatonin-mediated promotion of MdNRT2.1 and MdNRT2.4 expression, ultimately enhancing nitrogen absorption.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Omar Zayed, Omar A. Hewedy, Ali Abdelmoteleb, Mohammed Ali, Mohamed S. Youssef, Ahmed F. Roumia, Danelle Seymour, Ze-Chun Yuan
Summary: Plants uptake and assimilate nitrogen from the soil, and nitrate and ammonium transporters play important roles in this process. Nitrogen is then incorporated into organic compounds through nitrogen metabolism pathways. Nitric oxide has been found to enhance plant survival under drought stress, and the interaction between nitrogen and salt stress has been studied. Excessive use of nitrate fertilizers can have negative impacts on health and the environment, highlighting the importance of alternative strategies. Genomics can identify new genes related to nitrogen fixation, which can be utilized to improve plant productivity.
Article
Agronomy
Adrian Bozal-Leorri, Luis Miguel Arregui, Fernando Torralbo, Ma Begona Gonzalez-Moro, Carmen Gonzalez-Murua, Pedro Aparicio-Tejo
Summary: Sorghum plants can exude allelochemicals with biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) capacity, which can reduce N pollution. However, the rate of BNI exudation may be modified by abiotic stresses such as drought.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Li Chen, Weiguang Li, Yi Zhao, Shumei Zhang, Liqiang Meng
Summary: This study evaluated the coupling effects of sodium nitrate (SN) and sulfur-oxidizing bacterial agent (BA) on oxidizing reduced-state sulfur and altering the bacteria community. The results showed that bacterial inoculation prolonged the thermophilic period, facilitated organics degradation, and compost humification. The SN + BA treatment reduced H2S emissions and sulfur loss rate, and enhanced nitrate reduction efficiency. Bacterial inoculation also altered the diversities and structure of the bacterial community.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jia Lin Wang, Xue Qiang Zhao, Hao Qing Zhang, Ren Fang Shen
Summary: Maize plants prefer NO3-, which enhances the nitrogen recovery efficiency in acid soil by alleviating aluminum toxicity through increasing soil pH. Lime application further improves maize biomass and nitrogen recovery efficiency by reducing soil exchangeable aluminum concentration.
JOURNAL OF SOILS AND SEDIMENTS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mohd Hafizuddin Muhamad, Siti Rozaimah Sheikh Abdullah, Hassimi Abu Hasan, Siti Nur Hatika Abu Bakar, Setyo Budi Kurniawan, Nur 'Izzati Ismail
Summary: The study found that the hybrid treatment system of MM-SBBR is highly effective in removing PCP from wastewater, with a diverse presence of PCP resistant bacteria enriching in the reactor, contributing to the enhanced removal of PCP.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yuzu Sakata, Timothy P. Craig
Summary: The study found that plant chemical compounds and herbivores jointly affect plant competition through their indirect effects, which vary depending on the environment. In environments with different herbivore densities, the exotic plant Solidago altissima in Japan had a strong negative impact on co-occurring plants due to direct competition and increased herbivory, indicating that evolutionary history and local environment jointly influence herbivore-mediated indirect effects.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xueshen Wu, Zhong Yu, Shasha Yuan, Ahmed Tawfik, Fangang Meng
Summary: The underlying mechanism associated with the roles of dosed carbon source in denitrification performance remains largely unknown. This study constructed three denitrifying consortia (DNC) and found that the acetate-fed DNC had higher bacterial diversity and abundance of denitrifying genes compared to the other two groups. Additionally, the acetate-fed DNC exhibited better network stability, which provides important clues for the rational addition of carbon sources in wastewater treatment plants.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Virginia Menicagli, Elena Balestri, Francesco Giommoni, Claudia Vannini, Claudio Lardicci
Summary: Plastic litter has an impact on the rhizosphere bacterial communities associated with dune plants, increasing bacterial diversity and altering community composition. Non-biodegradable polymers reduced the survival rate of a particular dune plant species, while biodegradable/compostable polymers increased root biomass and the abundance of certain bacterial taxa. These findings highlight the importance of investigating the effects of plastics on the resilience of coastal dunes to climate change.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Francisco J. Munoz-Galvez, Asier Herrero, M. Esther Perez-Corona, Enrique Andivia
Summary: The study found that the effects of mixed forests on tree growth vary depending on the tree species, with Quercus pyrenaica showing significantly higher growth in mixed stands in years without water limitations, while Pinus sylvestris exhibited better growth in mixed stands under dry conditions. Additionally, a trade-off between resistance and recovery was observed, with P. sylvestris showing higher resistance but lower recovery in mixed stands, while Q. pyrenaica demonstrated higher recovery but lower resistance.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Paula Lorenzo, Lorena Alvarez-Iglesias, Luis Gonzalez, Pedro Revilla
Summary: This article evaluates the value of Acacia dealbata as green manure and weed control tool in maize crops through three sequential experiments, and discusses the genotype and environment dependency of deficiencies caused by Acacia dealbata fertilization.
RENEWABLE AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rachel F. Kruger, Susana Rodriguez-Echeverria, Paola Quatrini, Matthew A. Parker
Summary: New research reveals that the spread of Scotch broom in North America involved the invasion of a European genetic element (SI) into North American Bradyrhizobium nodule bacteria. Additionally, the spread of this SI variant likely facilitated the invasion of Scotch broom in North American habitats.
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Adrian Lazaro-Lobo, Paloma Ruiz-Benito, Carlos Lara-Romero, Pilar Castro-Diez
Summary: Non-native trees play an important role in providing services for human well-being, but their extensive use can have detrimental effects on the environment and socio-economic aspects. The demographic changes of Eucalyptus and Pinus at a regional scale are influenced by biotic, abiotic, and anthropogenic factors. The structure of the biotic community, abiotic conditions, propagule pressure, and human management practices all contribute to the performance of non-native trees in forests.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Carlos Lara-Romero, Paloma Ruiz-Benito, Pilar Castro-Diez
Summary: Research has found that non-native tree species are expanding in forests in Spain and their numbers, area, and growth are increasing. This expansion is influenced by the traits of the species, propagule pressure, and human perception. The results of this study highlight the importance of predicting and managing the existing non-native tree species and the risks they pose to forest biodiversity.
JOURNAL OF VEGETATION SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Paula Lorenzo, Rosa Guilherme, Sara Barbosa, Antonio J. D. Ferreira, Cristina Galhano
Summary: This study evaluates the value of different organic wastes as bioherbicides and fertilizers, and finds that spent coffee grounds can partially control weeds in the field and promote sustainable agriculture.
Review
Ecology
Adrian Lazaro-Lobo, Paloma Ruiz-Benito, Pilar Castro-Diez
Summary: Biological invasions have a significant impact on global change, and it is important to have monitoring tools to assess the effects of exotic species. National forest inventories (NFIs) are an emerging tool for monitoring forest structure and dynamics. Through a literature review, we found that 96 studies have used NFIs to assess the status or dynamics of exotic species.
Article
Ecology
Elena Granda, Cristina Antunes, Cristina Maguas, Pilar Castro-Diez
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate water source partitioning between native and non-native tree species in central Spain floodplains, determine the dependence on drought stress of such water source use, and assess the relationship between reliance on deeper water sources and physiological and growth performance. The results showed significant differences in water source use between species under drier conditions, with non-native species exhibiting a physiological strategy characterized by greater leaf N, water content, and enriched isotopes values.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Alvaro Alonso, Gonzalo A. Collado, Claudia Gerard, Edward P. Levri, Rodrigo B. Salvador, Pilar Castro-Diez
Summary: Ecosystems provide various benefits to humans, but invasive species like the New Zealand mud snail (NZMS) can threaten these services. This study aims to quantitatively evaluate the impacts of NZMS on ecosystem properties and services. The high density and competitiveness of NZMS can disrupt ecosystem functioning, although it may improve some cultural services. NZMS has negative effects on provisioning services, while regulating and maintenance services are both positively and negatively affected. However, the economic assessment of NZMS impacts is currently lacking in the literature.
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Thomas Wohlgemuth, Martin M. Gossner, Thomas Campagnaro, Helia Marchante, Marcela van Loo, Giorgio Vacchiano, Pilar Castro-Diez, Dorota Dobrowolska, Anna Gazda, Srdjan Keren, Zsolt Keseru, Marcin Koprowski, Nicola La Porta, Vitas Marozas, Per Holm Nygaard, Vilem Podrazsky, Radoslaw Puchalka, Orna Reisman-Berman, Lina Straigyte, Tiina Ylioja, Elisabeth Potzelsberger, Joaquim S. Silva
Summary: In the context of global change, the integration of non-native tree species in European forestry is a topic of increasing discussion. However, the ecological consequences of using or spreading non-native tree species in European forests are still uncertain. This study compiles data on the impacts of seven important non-native tree species on soil properties and diversity attributes in Europe, and summarizes their commonalities and differences. The results suggest that forest managers should be cautious in using non-native tree species, as they often have negative impacts on biodiversity and soil properties.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Adrian Lazaro-Lobo, Paloma Ruiz-Benito, Veronica Cruz-Alonso, Pilar Castro-Diez
Summary: Non-native trees have significant impacts on forest carbon sink capacity. However, the patterns of carbon uptake and storage capacity of native and non-native forests under different climate conditions are poorly understood. This study analyzed data from the Spanish Forest Inventory to examine carbon storage and sequestration in natural forests and plantations of native and non-native trees. The results showed that forest origin and climate influenced carbon storage and sequestration, with non-native forests having higher carbon storage and sequestration in wet climates, while native forests performed better in terms of carbon gains and losses in dry climates. Assessments of forest type and origin were also important determinants of carbon storage and sequestration, with certain species and natural forests having higher carbon storage and sequestration. The findings suggest that the relative capacity of native and non-native forests to uptake and store carbon depends on climate, and the advantage of non-native forests in carbon sequestration decreases under stronger abiotic filters.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Daniela Duarte, Cristina Galhano, Maria Celeste Dias, Paula Castro, Paula Lorenzo
Summary: The continued use of synthetic herbicides leads to pollution and health issues, but sustainable alternatives are lacking. This study assessed the herbicidal potential of waste extracts from invasive plants and agri-food on common urban weeds in Portugal. The extracts reduced pre-emergence performance of the weeds but had minimal effect on post-emergence parameters. Therefore, the use of these extracts as bioherbicides may require additional synthetic herbicides, as they cannot fully control urban weeds without soil.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND WORLD ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alberto Romero-Blanco, Pilar Castro-Diez, Adrian Lazaro-Lobo, Rafael Molina-Venegas, Paula Cruces, Petr Pysek
Summary: Humans introduce non-native trees (NNT) globally, however, the impacts of NNT on ecosystem services (ES) vary greatly. In this study, we analyze the variation in impacts of NNT on regulating ecosystem services (RES) using a global database, finding that climate and human population density are the most influential predictors. NNT tend to increase RES in warm areas with low seasonal variation, and densely populated regions have greater NNT impacts.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Thomas Campagnaro, Emilio Badalamenti, Pilar Castro-Diez, Helena Freitas
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Paula Lorenzo, Maria Cristina Morais
Summary: Current control methods for invasive alien plants (IAPs) are effective in the short-term but not feasible or affordable for long-term or large invaded areas. Therefore, sustainable approaches to control or restrict the spread of aggressive IAPs are urgently needed. The use of waste derived from IAP control actions can contribute to long-term management and preservation of local biodiversity while providing economic returns. However, concerns and risks associated with this strategy should be addressed before implementation.
Article
Soil Science
C. Beraud, F. Piola, J. Gervaix, G. Meiffren, C. Creuze des Chatelliers, A. Delort, C. Boisselet, S. Poussineau, E. Lacroix, A. A. M. Cantarel
Summary: This study investigated the soil factors influencing the development of biological denitrification inhibition (BDI) and found that initial soil moisture, ammonium concentration, and the initial abundance of certain microbial genes play significant roles in BDI development. Additionally, the research highlighted the relevance of biotic factors in explaining BDI and proposed the use of procyanidin concentration from plant belowground system as a new proxy for measuring BDI intensity.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Yizhu Qiao, Tingting Wang, Qiwei Huang, Hanyue Guo, He Zhang, Qicheng Xu, Qirong Shen, Ning Ling
Summary: Soil microbial community coalescence, the mixing and interaction of microbial communities, has been found to enhance the stability and complexity of rhizobacterial networks, leading to improved plant health and biomass. This study investigated the effects of different degrees of bacterial community coalescence on plant disease resistance by mixing soils from healthy and diseased habitats for watermelon planting. The results showed that mixing in more healthy soil reduced the plant disease index and increased biomass by improving the stability and complexity of the rhizobacterial network. Core taxa Nitrospirillum and Singulisphaera were enriched in the rhizosphere from healthy soils and played important roles in disease suppression and regulating the positive cohesion and modularity of the networks. Overall, these findings provide insights into the potential mechanism of microbial community coalescence for improving plant microbial community function and suggest new tools for enhancing plant fitness via soil microbiota mixing.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Mengqiu He, Shending Chen, Lei Meng, Xiaoqian Dan, Wenjie Wang, Qinying Zhu, Zucong Cai, Jinbo Zhang, Pierfrancesco Nardi, Christoph Mueller
Summary: Maize genotypes directly affect gene expression and nitrogen uptake capacity. The feedback between maize genotypes and soil nitrogen transformations, as well as their regulations on nitrogen uptake capacity, have been studied. The findings suggest that maize genotypes play a central role in regulating these feedbacks, which are important for maize breeding and enhancing maize production.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Ke Shi, Jiahui Liao, Xiaoming Zou, Han Y. H. Chen, Manuel Delgado-Baquerizo, Zhengming Yan, Tingting Ren, Honghua Ruan
Summary: Through rewilding, microbial extracellular and cellular residues can continuously accumulate in soils and significantly contribute to soil organic carbon sequestration. Extracellular residues are mainly driven by fine root biomass, while cellular residues are mainly driven by soil nitrogen and organic carbon content.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Sensen Chen, Ying Teng, Yongming Luo, Eiko Kuramae, Wenjie Ren
Summary: This study comprehensively assesses the effects of NMs on the soil microbiome through a global meta-analysis. The results reveal significant negative impacts of NMs on soil microbial diversity, biomass, activity, and function. Metal NMs, especially Ag NMs, have the most pronounced negative effects on various soil microbial community metrics.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Shareen K. D. Sanders, Gerard Martinez-De Leon, Ludovico Formenti, Madhav P. Thakur
Summary: Collembolans, the diverse group of soil invertebrates, are affected by anthropogenic climate warming, which alters their diversity and density. In addition to abiotic stressors, changes in food availability, specifically the abundance of saprotrophic and mycorrhizal fungi, influence Collembola responses to climate warming. Collembolans prefer saprotrophic fungi but rely on mycorrhizal fungi when food sources are scarce. Understanding the mechanisms behind these dietary shifts in warm-dry and warm-wet soil conditions is crucial for predicting the impact of climate change on Collembola-fungal interactions.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Wimonsiri Pingthaisong, Sergey Blagodatsky, Patma Vityakon, Georg Cadisch
Summary: A study found that mixing high-C/N ratio rice straw with low-C/N ratio groundnut stover can improve the chemical composition of the input, stimulate microbial growth, decrease the loss of residue-derived carbon in the soil, and reduce native soil carbon and nitrogen consumption.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Soil Science
Jiachen Wang, Jie Zhao, Rong Yang, Xin Liu, Xuyuan Zhang, Wei Zhang, Xiaoyong Chen, Wende Yan, Kelin Wang
Summary: Nitrogen is vital for ecosystem productivity, restoration, and succession processes. This study found that legume intercropping was more effective than chemical nitrogen fertilizers in promoting the complexity and stability of the soil micro-food web, as it increased microbial and nematode communities and enhanced energy flow patterns.
SOIL BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
(2024)
